Industry launches South Australia pre-election platform as a call to action

Geraldine Chua

Not-for-profit industry association Consult Australia’s South Australian Division has released its policy platform, Promoting Excellence in the Built Environment, as a blueprint for revitalising the state’s economy.

State manager for Consult Australia SA Jan Irvine warns that the troubles currently faced by the built environment industry is a sign of what may be to come across the wider business community if things do not change.

“With the decline in resources projects and a contraction in government investment in infrastructure, South Australia risks losing the best part of an industry 15 years in the making,” says Irvine.

“As both sides of Parliament prepare for an upcoming state election, this platform is a call to action and provides commonsense recommendations that will help secure a more productive, prosperous future for all of South Australia.”

Recommendations outlined in the policy platform include planning and developing a stronger infrastructure pipeline and releasing new funds for infrastructure investment.

Supporting best practice procurement, and creating a better business environment, were also stated as two key recommendations.

Representatives of Consult Australia’s SA Division discussed these issues at a boardroom luncheon on 21 February with Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Jamie Briggs MP.

Irvine believes that the policy platform is expected to provide the basis for a “new conversation with all spheres of government”, while supporting the wider industry and community.

“Our meeting with Assistant Minister Briggs was an important opportunity to kick-start these conversations,” she says.